| dc.description.abstract | Perinatal death has profound psychosocial efects on women and their families. Sociocultural contexts
infuence the burden, rituals and bereaved’s support. Little is known about cultural beliefs and practices related to
perinatal death. This study explored the cultural perspectives of the Lango community on perinatal death.
This study utilised a focused ethnographic design anchored on a symbolic interactionist framework to
understand the meanings attached to beliefs and practices on stillbirth or neonatal death among the Lango community in Lira District, Northern Uganda. Participants were sampled purposively for FGD while key informants were
identifed through snowballing technique. Data were audio recorded in Lango, transcribed, and later translated, a
codebook was developed and data entered into Atlas. ti version 8.4.26 and then coded. It was analysed both deductively and inductively into themes.
Stillbirth and early neonatal death both attract similar rituals as would an older child. Burial is not rushed and
is attended by family members and close friends. Stillbirths and children that die before naming are buried without
names. Bereaved families are comforted and encouraged about future pregnancies. Currently, Lango associates the
deaths to biomedical explanations such as teenage pregnancies, inadequate pregnancy care, health system challenges and poor health-seeking behaviour, unlike previously when they were attributed to consequences of unacceptable social behaviours, superstitious beliefs and witchcraft. Antenatal care and health facility childbirths are currently
preferred over traditional practices for good pregnancy outcomes.
Stillbirth or early neonatal death is viewed as the death of a child, diferent from other settings. Thus, rituals are performed to honour, create memory, and maintain the connection with deceased babies. Bereaved parents
are supported. Health care workers need to provide culturally sensitive support to parents after perinatal loss. The
prevailing beliefs of perinatal death cause in terms of biomedical explanations consistent with known determinants
and preference for health facility care for prevention creates an opportunity for improving perinatal health. | en_US |
